MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Postmaster General whether a Circular was issued on the 13th of July last, fixing the scale of pay for telegraph learners in the General Post Office, Dublin, who had passed successful examinations since July, 1889, at 12s., 14s., and 18s. per week, with annual increment of 2s. per week; whether, during the present month, and since the passing of the Post Office Estimates, a fresh notice has been issued which states that the initial salaries are to be 1131 hereafter annual, thus, first year 12s., second year 14s., and third year 18s. per week respectively; whether the effect of this scale will be to alter the pay of learners under the old scale from 13s., 16s., and 17s. 6d. per week respectively for first, second, and third year's service to 12s., 14s., and 18s.; and whether he will consider the advisability of granting to the telegraph learners who entered the Service since July, 1889, the more favourable terms of the scheme of 13th July, 1890?
§ A LORD OF THE TREASURY (Sir H. MAXWELL, Wigton)The scale introduced on July 11 last fixed the wages of second-class telegraphists at 12s. a week for the first year, at 14s. a week for the second year, and at 18s. a week for the third year, thereafter rising by 2s. annually to 40s. a week. This scale is, on the whole, better, far better, than the one it superseded. In connection with the old scale, however, there was an arrangement under which a learner, if fully qualified, could receive 16s. on appointment, and it is being considered whether a similar advantage should not be given to those learners whose employment began before the new scale was introduced.
§ MR. SEXTONIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the new scale is considered to be much worse than the old one?
§ SIR H. MAXWELLI believe it is considered to be very much better.